Thoughts & Insights
The Learning Lab
Where instructional design meets innovation. Exploring L&D strategy, emerging tech, and the future of how we learn at work.
Welcome to The Learning Lab
A look at why I started this blog, what you can expect to find here, and my perspective on where the L&D industry is headed in 2026 and beyond.
From SME to Learning Leader: How Passion Turns Expertise Into Impact
How subject matter experts can leverage their frontline experience and passion for teaching to become exceptional learning and development professionals.
Why Every L&D Professional Needs a Portfolio (Even When You Can't Show Everything)
The importance of building a portfolio website — and how to handle work that's protected by IP, company policy, or contracts.
New Year, New You? What I’m Actually Learning in 2026
An honest check-in on New Year's resolutions — from fitness and longevity to navigating a new role and growing as an L&D leader.
Yes, I Actually Wrote That. And AI Helped.
Every idea came from me. AI helped me polish it. Here’s how I use AI as an editor — and why more professionals should too.
The Language Models I’m Actually Using (Q1 2026 Edition)
A practical breakdown of the four LLMs in my stack — Claude, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini — and how each one fits into my L&D workflow.
Your Employees Deserve a Google — Why Knowledge Management Is the Foundation You’re Missing
Why centralized knowledge management is the most overlooked foundation in any organization — and how building one unlocks training, scalability, and the future of AI-powered support.
Is AI Replacing Me? The Answer: Maybe.
An honest look at whether AI is replacing skilled professionals — the environmental cost, what the research says, and where human expertise still matters most.
“Just Build a Course” — And Other Things That Aren’t the Answer
When someone asks you to create training, the real problem is almost never a training problem. Here’s what experienced L&D professionals know that most organizations haven’t figured out yet.
The Invisible Architecture of Training Success
Why doing your job well in L&D can become the very thing that works against you — and how to make your instructional design visible before leadership assumes anyone can do it.
Building Learning Infrastructure from Scratch at a Growing Organization
A practical, step-by-step guide to standing up an L&D function from nothing — from needs analysis and knowledge management to delivery systems, compliance, and measuring impact.
Happiness in How We Spend Our Time
Reflections on Happier Hour by Cassie Holmes — and what it means to spend time intentionally, especially during a career transition.
The Town Hall Voice and the Hallway Voice: What RuPaul’s Drag Race Taught Me About Psychological Safety
What an 18-season reality show has to teach every L&D leader about belonging, authenticity, and the gap between what leaders say and what employees actually experience.
Stay in the Loop
New posts on instructional design, learning strategy, and emerging tech — right when they drop.